Iguanodon Facts

Scientists believe that this large dinosaur roamed the earth during the early Cretaceous Period about 125 to 135 million years ago. With several interesting physical characteristics, scientists have been able to determine more about the Iguanodon’s behaviors, diet, and life in general. As the research into these dinosaurs continues, scientists learn new information. The following facts describe the Iguanodon in more detail so that you can understand more facts about what this dinosaur looked like and how it lived.

Based on the fossils, the Iguanodon measured 20-33 feet long and stood over 16-feet tall. Additionally, the Iguanodon stood on its two hind legs rather than all four like the modern iguana. Its body was bulky, and it had a long, stiff tail that kept it balanced while on two legs. Its hind feet had three toes and hoof-like claws for gripping the ground to run. It had four fingers on each hand in addition to a 2- to 6-inch thumb spike that it used for defense and obtaining food. Its head featured a toothless beak with tightly packed teeth on each side. Based on fossil remains, scientists believe the Iguanodon weighed as much as 4 or 5 tons.

Credit for the naming of the Iguanodon dinosaur goes to Gideon A. Mantell in 1825. The first bones were found in 1822 by his wife, Mary Mantell. Both were amateur fossil hunters in the 1800s. The discovery of these bones occurred in Sussex, England. Mantell came up with this name because he found similarities between the Iguanodon teeth and the teeth of the modern iguanas. Since the first discovery of the Iguanodon, paleontologists and fossil hunters located hundreds more fossils all over Europe, Africa, and North America